Jay Z Caught In The Middle Of A $600 Million Lawsuit With The NBA And Brooklyn Nets

Jay Z separated from the Brooklyn Nets last year due to NBA restrictions. Now the rap mogul is caught in the middle of a huge mess and was named as a defendant in a $600 million lawsuit filed against him, the NBA and mainly the Brooklyn Nets’ brand.

According to reports, the lawsuit was filed against Jay Z and the others last month.

The Plaintiff, Dr. Francois de Cassagnol, filed a pro se complaint with the Eastern District of the State of New York on December 9, 2013, asking for a juried trial over the matter — and $600 million in damages, at least. According to court documents obtained by Radar, de Cassagnol claims that the NBA, Jay Z, and developer Bruce Ratner “fraudulently conspired” to use “loopholes” in the U.S. Patent Office so that they could use a term he says he registered more than ten years ago. (RadarOnline)

The plaintiff also stated that the NBA made it clear that they would not let the “Brooklyn Nets” be used for a team name.

Indeed, documents submitted as evidence show that de Cassagnol filed applications in 2012 for “The Brooklyn Nets Entertainment Logo,” which was first used in the State of Louisiana back in 2003. He even claims that before the team moved to Brooklyn, he spoke with officials at the New Jersey Nets organization and the NBA who assured him that the team would not use the term “Brooklyn Nets,” but would most likely opt for “New York Nets.” Unfortunately, he claims, “It was pure mismanagement of the facts.” In 2012, the team announced they would go by the name “Brooklyn Nets,” and ever since, de Cassagnol has been enmeshed in a legal struggle trying to get what he says is his due. (RadarOnline)

Last year Jay took to his “Life & Times” website to announce his departure from the Brooklyn Nets.

“Being a member of the Nets organization surpassed some of my greatest ambitions. It was never about an investment; it was about the NETS and Brooklyn. My job as an owner is over but as a fan it has just begun. I’m a Brooklyn Net forever. It’s been an honor to work with Mikhail Prokhorov, Dmitry Razumov, Christophe Charlier, ONEXIM Sports and Entertainment, Brett Yormark and all the wonderful people involved in making the Nets first class. My sincerest thanks goes to Bruce Ratner, who first introduced the idea of moving the Nets to Brooklyn. A thank you and deepest appreciation goes to the fans. You are the lifeblood of any team.” (Life + Times)